Satellites peer down upon us, as we peer into the screens onto which their images beam.

Every action we take online adds to the story the earth is writing.

The next chapter?

Articles

Creative Director Stefan Sojka is one of Australia’s most published freelance writers and commentators on Web business and Internet culture. He has been a regular monthly columnist for the award-winning NETT magazine for the past three years. Previous roles included 7 years writing for internet.au magazine and the Australian Net Directory. He continues to contribute to a number of blogs and publications.

Y2K: The Millennium Bugwww.sightings.com/ufo/y2kdatapage.html
A collection of diverse articles relating to the millennium bug, this is a great way to get a grip on the magnitude and range of effects this little oversight has thrown at the world. From hospitals to airports, banks to water supplies, it seems a minor state of panic is setting in. This site seems a little on the sensational side, but it certainly highlights the potential disasters and chaos that could arise in and around the turn of the century. Governments and businesses certainly perceive the possible dangers, and are spending a lot of money trying to iron out the bug and minimize the damage. Like this site says, planes won't fall out of the sky, they just might not take off.
Verdict: It's not a conspiracy, it's just a silly mistake. --SS
Net Worth: ****

Money.com: Year 2000www.pathfinder.com/money/y2k/index.html
Obviously, by the title, you can gather that this site is mainly concerned with how the bug is going to effect your financial world. Besides a nice little pop-up menu that takes you to a wide range of subjects, ranging from investment to insurance and home appliances, you can also download a couple of utilities that can check your system for year 2000 compliance. There are also links to many world wide news services and financial publications regarding the problem, as well as links to the culprits themselves - the major computer company home pages, to see what they have to say.
Verdict: Accountant, there's a bug in my wallet. --SS
Net Worth: ****

Australian Government's Y2K resourceswww.y2k.gov.au
The problem has got to be serious when governments get domain names dedicated to it. The Australian Government has attempted (once you agree to the disclaimer) to offer as much help as it can to ease the passing of the Year 2000. Information available includes an overview of the Year 2000 problem, case studies, Year 2000 conferences, news items and links to other resources on the World Wide Web. In addition, links are provided to the Year 2000 web sites of individual state and territory governments of Australia. All in all, a good place for any Australian to begin examining the problem.
Verdict: Well worth the visit. --SS
Networth: ****

A Business Guide to the Year 2000 Computer Date problemwww.support2000.com
Set up as a good will site to help both large and small to medium businesses come to terms with the Y2K issue, this site is both highly informative and helpful. It takes a very organised approach in examining the issue, analysing the consequences and attempting to establish the best course of action to make the transition into next century as smooth as possible. This bug is going to effect everyone, and there doesn't seem to be a miracle "fix" for it. This site is a step along the way to humanity's solution to I.T.'s biggest blunder so far.
Verdict: It's deep, far-reaching and colossal, and so is this site. --SS
NetWorth: *****

Sofcom Shopping Mall: 2000 Solutionswww.sofcom.com.au/mall/2000solutions
This is the up side of the millennium bug - people are going to make a lot of money fixing it. This Tammworth Company has produced some CDROM's pertaining to the problem, helping you to develop a strategy to analyse your systems for compliance and provide information about the problem. I doubt that this will fix much, but it promises to get you started looking at your current risks and dangers, and taking steps to correct as much as you can before it's too late.
Verdict: It's Australian, it's helpful, and it may well be worth a look. --SS
Net Worth: ***

12 Reasons to Ignore the Y2K Problemwww.ecl.udel.edu/~hague/ignore.htm
A cute little joke page about the Y2K bug, but when you click the link, it takes you back to a set of more links that are well worth following. There is a Christian perspective on the problem, a military department Year 2000 challenge site, a Y2K fun page filled with laughs and goodies, and some more serious stuff discussing the extent of the problem, and how it might be fixed. The more you look into this the more you realize just how massive an issue this thing is. It's time to start checking your own systems for compliance.
Verdict: It might just go away, but then again it won't. --SS
NetWorth: ****

The British Computer Society: Year 2000 Millennium Pagewww.bcs.org.uk/millen.htm
The BCS acknowledges their responsibility in helping to solve the Y2K bug, and here they offer a booklet for businesses to help understand the issues. There are also some articles, a list of events and other resources. One gets the impression here that these guys are probably way too busy actually out in the field dealing with the looming emergency to put too much up on the web. These guys are the gurus, though, so it may be worth seeing what they have to say about things.
Verdict: From the mouth of the experts. --SS
NetWorth: ***

Info 2000 Welcome / Bienvenuewww.info2000.gc.ca/Welcome/Welcome.asp
The Canadian Government takes the 2000 bug issue very seriously, and has established the Chief Information Officer Year 2000 Project Office to coordinate the Gargantuan task of uncovering all the places where the bug will cause troubles. They are fielding questions from the public and planning strategies to deal with the problem as efficiently as possible. The extent of the problem in a highly technologically advanced bureaucracy is surely far reaching and demands such a rigorous and organised approach. Canada, along with Australia, the U.K. and the U.S.A. are the world leaders. Lucky for us! I'd hate to see Somalia's strategy.
Verdict: Assume crash positions, then head for the Canadian life rafts. --SS
NetWorth: ****

CNET Features - Digital Life - 8 Myths About The Millennium Bugcnet.com/Content/Features/Dlife/Millbug/index.html
For all those that have believed everything they have heard so far about the millennium bug, CNET offer you a calming demystification. The myths about rioting in the streets, banks collapsing and VCR's not working are one by one explained and rationalised. There are no quick fixes, that's for sure, but the ramifications are most likely not quite so bad as some might like people to believe. This site also has some great links and news articles.
Verdict: Relax, this won't hurt a bit... well not much. --SS
Networth: *****

CIO's Year 2000 Research Centrewww.cio.com/forums/y2k/index.html
Will you be ready when the clock strikes? CIOs need to know how to manoeuvre the road to conversion safely in order to survive the date change with systems intact. This Research Center provides links to relevant Web sites, articles and white papers, and an online discussion area. This site, part of the CIO group of sites, including CIO magazine, caters directly to the needs of IT departments, so the information here is real, solid, and purposeful.
Verdict: Definitely a site to bookmark as the big date looms closer. --SS
NetWorth: *****

Y2K comicwww.citycom.com/jtwine/burn3.htm
I don't know what this site has to do with the Millennium bug, other than the fact that it's got a great big "Y2K" emblazoned on the page. It leads you into a strange site of art and weirdness, with virtually no text to explain what's going on. If anything, it is a nice escape from the pressures and worries of the situation, but after you browse around, you may get the feeling that your brain has just developed a nasty bug of it's own. Strange...
Verdict: Have we really got time to look at this stuff? --SS
NetWorth: ****

Compliance Informationwww.mitre.org/research/cots/COMPLIANCE_INFO.html
This site covers some of the issues about compliance and verification of your computer systems and software. It's all done for an American Airforce base, but no doubt the information crosses over to external systems. Included is an "exit criteria" checklist, which gets right into the nuts and bolts of the whole Y2K story (something a lot of other sites don't seem to do). Also covered are standards of compliance, cost estimation of the whole fixing process, and questions to ask to establish compliance. This is the site you should certainly go to once you have grappled with the realisation of the scope of the Y2K bug, to begin to take practical steps towards solving your particular problems. At some point here, you may want to call in the computer guru's, if you aren't one yourself, as it does get pretty complex. Wheels within wheels.
Verdict: Hard facts, painful realities, practical solutions. --SS
Networth: *****

Y2K Timebombwww.y2ktimebomb.com
This on-line magazine is devoted to a strategic analysis of the Y2K problem. It would have to be one of the most comprehensive sites I've come across so far, with all manner of aspects covered. There is a list of about 30 books on the subject to order, a mailing list you can join with daily updates, and regular contributions from columnists and reporters. This is a definite bookmark page whichever side of the situation you are on - a business operator faced with the fast burning fuse, or the computer technician faced with the task of extinguishing it.
Verdict: It's going to blow. Mission: to minimise collateral damage. --SS
Networth: *****

Year 2000 Fifty Reasons Why You Are Ignoring The Year 2000 Problemwww.microfocus.com/year2000/y2kfifty.htm
This is like one of those joke emails you get sent to you every day at work. A chuckle here, a guffaw there, but the real point is to get you to look into using SoftFactory2000, a solution tool to eradicate your 2000 bugs. Micro Focus provides solutions for managing enterprise computing assets. In conjunction with their software solution, they are also building a Y2K network-marketing scheme to sell their services around the world. $39,000 and you are on your way. It nice to know there are positive aspects to this whole problem.
Verdict:. 39,000 reasons to visit.--SS
NetWorth: ***

Y2K Toolwww.y2ktool.com
Y2K Tool is a magazine you can subscribe to. This site is packed with as much marketing technique as they could cram in to get you to fork out the $19.95 for the subscription. It's all a bit over-the-top if you ask me. The facts and figures seem far more blown out of proportion to scare you into needing the magazine. The promises of helping you plug into the bonanza that is Y2K fixing seem a bit exaggerated, too. And as for the "save the rainforests" bit, by getting the online version, well, I thought you were already doing that a thousand times over, just by being on the net. Merchandising opportunities abound here. If you have a Y2K mug, pen or t-shirt, Y2K Tool wants to promote YOU. "Profit from the meltdown", they say.
Verdict: This bug is costing enough already. Does it have to cost any more?. --SS
Networth: **

Y2K Discussion Forums on the WWWwww.sf2000.com/wwwboard/messages/54.html
This is pretty much what the title says it is. Subscribe to various discussion forums and keep posted on developments and information as it comes to light. There is also information about world conferences on Y2K - dates, places, times, costs - mostly in Canada, so you would want to be keen, or very worried, to attend.
Verdict: An easy way to stay in touch. --SS
NetWorth: *****

IT2000it2000.com
This is The National Bulletin Board For The Year 2000, a very comprehensive source of information relating to the Millennium date change. This Bulletin Board serves as a clearinghouse of information on the Year 2000 and a global forum on how the Information Technology industry worldwide is gearing up for the Millennium challenge. Contained within is information about the Y2K Problems, available Solutions, consulting services, conversion tools, as well as offshore options in India, Ireland, Israel and Ukraine. Forums such as conferences and expositions as well as training seminars are also covered.
Verdict: The name says it all. It's a one-stop bug shop. --SS
NetWorth: ****

The Year 2000 FAQourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/rsandler
In a text file 261K in size, you'd better believe there are a lot of FAQ's here. I'd say there must be a lot of people out there who are very bewildered with the whole Y2K business, to be asking so many questions. If this is you, perhaps it's time to visit this site and see what the experts are saying in response to all these queries.
Verdict: Not too many stones left unturned here.. --SS
Networth: ****

Year2000 NZ - Y2KIT001.htmwww.year2000.co.nz/y2kito01.htm
This is New Zealand's input to the Y2K debacle. It is quite similar to many other sites in it's basic run down of the problems and background information. Nothing really new here, but perhaps you are running a trans-Tasman company. If so, follow the link back to the main page.
Verdict: Go for a skiing holiday, stay 100 years! --SS
NetWorth: ***

2K Timeswww.coolarchive.com/entrance.cfm
This is an online and printed digest whose mission is to "inform, warn, scare, and assist in the War to End All Wars for the computing profession". The enemy is apathy, denial, and time. The measure of success will only be known in January 2000. Check the site map to get an overview of what is on offer. A seemingly well chosen selection of clippings, quotations and articles on the matter plus guides, tips and a bit of fun.
Verdict: If time is the enemy, 2K Times is your ally. --SS
Networth: ***

Implement Ltd - MTE Indexwww.implement.co.uk/milweb1.htm
Millennium Times Europe was sold by subscription from August 1996 to July 1997. It is now incorporated into "Millennium Watch" the newsletter of the UK government backed "Taskforce 2000". MTE covered news, management and technical issues, and aimed at a wide cross section of programmers and managers. What you see on these pages is only a small part of the material that was published. It is posted here as a Year 2000 resource for all who wish to use it. Pay 150 pounds and get the whole shebang. A nice little bonus here is a 44-slide PowerPoint presentation ready to download and screen at the next staff meeting. Also there is a clock tester for your PC, a screen saver and the obligatory jokes.
Verdict: The Government has to give you this, they're scared.--SS
NetWorth: ****

Y2K ACS SIGwww.acs.org.au/nsw/sigs/y2k
The stated main objectives of the Y2K special interest group of the Australian Computer Society are five-fold. To raise awareness within IT and Business about the Year 2000 Problem, to collect intelligence about Year 2000 issues, to act as an information exchange for the collected information, to enable organisations to benefit from the experience of the group and to reinforce professionalism within the IT. This is achieved through much effort and regular meetings. The links page, though small, takes you to some key Y2K sites. Australia is one of the world leaders in this field, so it might pay to see what's going on here.
Verdict: Who are you going to call? Bug busters. --SS
Networth: *****

SIM Member Programs - Year 2000 Working Groupwww.simnet.org/public/programs/educate/workgrps/y2000.html
In an attempt to get some real strategies going on the problem, SIM is organising on and off-line conferences, distributing a white paper on solutions, a book, and generally creating a hub of activity in the global frenzy leading up to the big date. You can look at their previous white paper, to see how things are progressing, and check the list of members of the working group. Hopefully your IT consultant is on the list.
Verdict: They'd better get cracking, time is moving on.--SS
NetWorth: ***

Compliance Registerwww.y2kregister.com.au
This is a very handy site to bookmark. An Australian Standard has been set for computer products to be able to handle the transition into the year 2000. Companies and products that meet this standard are asked to register here, for a small fee. It will be important for anyone installing new systems or employing IT companies to know that they aren't going to inherit more problems in the near future. The costs of rectifying things could be astronomical and already lawyers are starting to see dollar signs as people start suing one another as non-compliant products and systems begin to break down.
Verdict: Buyer beware. --SS
NetWorth: *****

The Year 2000 Information Centrewww.year2000.com/cgi-bin/y2k/year2000.cgi
Who would have thought a silly little oversight, due to the fact that we have ten fingers, and that our Christian based society happened to develop computers in the last few decades of a century, would be such a disaster on one hand, and such a bonanza on the other. The IT industry has created a whole division within itself, and all it's activities are represented here. Press clippings, jobs, products, user groups, links and a huge and growing list of companies joining the site as either service providers or compliant product makers. Soon everyone will be here, and it will be a wonderful world.
Verdict: Cash in now, this won't last forever. The clock won't stop ticking, no matter what year it is. --SS
NetWorth: *****